The journalists at CBS This Morning on Friday promoted a petition by “concerned” United Nations staffers against the honoring of Wonder Woman, a “large-breasted, white woman” who wears an “American flag motif.” The fictional DC comics character is being hailed as an “Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls.”
Talking to Lynda Carter, the ‘70s era Wonder Woman, guest co-host Margaret Brennan insisted the character was “drawing some scrutiny because of the way you’re dressed.” Gayle King catalogued the list of complaints from outraged, dissident UN staffers: “Listen on to what they are saying though, Lynda. ‘A large breasted, white woman of impossible proportioned, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee-high boots is not an appropriate spokeswoman for the gender equality at the United Nations.'”
King demanded, “And you say what?”
Carter shot back: “It has nothing to do with anything.... Wonder Woman is an idea. This is not the American flag. This is not — it's about fighting for freedom.”
She continued, “Give me a break! I think they are just being silly.... Get over yourself already!”
A partial transcript of the October 21 segment, which aired at 8:32AM ET, follows:
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CBS TM
10/21/16
8:32
MARGARET BRENNAN: Carter leaped, lassoed and saved lives as the all-American hero heroine. That came decades after Wonder Woman’s first comic book cover in 1941.
GAYLE KING: This year, the super hero turns 75! She earns one more distinction. Wonder Woman has been named a United Nations honorary ambassador for the empowerment of women and girls. Lynda Carter is here, hours before the official ceremony at the UN headquarters.
8:35
BRENNAN: The UN didn’t pick a female Secretary General.
LYNDA CARTER: I know.
BRENNAN: There’s a petition because you’re getting this recognition and drawing some scrutiny because of the way you're dressed.
[Lynda Carter rolls her eyes.]
KING: No, but listen on to what they are saying though, Lynda. A large breasted white woman of impossible proportioned, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee-high boots is not an appropriate spokeswoman for the gender equality at the United Nations. And to that, you say what?
LYNDA CARTER: Can I say it? Probably not. I think it's ridiculous.
KING: You can say that.
CARTER: I can say it’s bull.
KING: Why? Why? Why do you feel that way?
CARTER: Because they are nit-picking on something that has nothing to do with anything. It is a super hero, number one! And that gender, it has nothing to do with anything. They want to pick on, you know — Wonder Woman is an idea. This is not the American flag. This is not — it's about fighting for freedom, and the fact that she happens to wear — it's not scantily clad, big breasted white woman.
KING: And she wears clothes. She also wears clothes.
CARTER: Yeah.
KING: Clark Kent had on a suit.
CARTER: Well, yeah. Plus he had a sock in his suit!
KING: Okay.
BRENNAN: It's okay to look female, Lynda Carter.
CARTER: It’s okay to look female. You know, give me a break! I think they are just being silly.
KING: Nit-picking, you’re thinking.
CARTER: Nit-picky and get over yourself already!
KING: Thank you, Lynda Carter.
